Town honours Samuel and Martha Adams with memorial art installation at Burnet Park during Black History Month

Today, the Town of Oakville unveiled the new and permanent ‘Samuel and Martha Adams Memorial at Burnet Park’ art installation. Mayor Rob Burton and Ward 2 Town and Regional Councillor Cathy Duddeck, joined Members of Council, Town staff, and special guests from the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH) and descendants of Oakville’s free African American settlers, to officially share the important milestone and tribute with the community. 

The installation, designed by the Studio of Contemporary Architecture (SOCA) – a Black-owned, Toronto-based architecture and urban design studio, honours Oakville’s Black History and community by commemorating Samuel Adams and his family. Adams was a free African American who became a prominent member of Oakville’s Black community after moving from Baltimore, Maryland to Oakville’s Bronte area in the 1850s. Sculptured iron benches as part of the installation pay homage to Adams’ profession as a blacksmith, while stones salvaged from the foundation of the historic Adams family home, originally located at 104 Burnet Street, were incorporated directly into the piece. 

A new plaque speaking to the art installation and its historical influences will be installed at Burnet Park in the coming months. 

To learn more about Oakville’s deep connections to Black History, visit the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton’s website. 

Quotes

“Samuel and Martha Adams exemplify the compassion and entrepreneurial spirit that helped build Oakville. This memorial honours their legacy and will ensure future generations understand how the Adams family and Oakville's Black community have been integral to our town's story. It also reflects the Town’s ongoing commitment to inclusion, diversity and community belonging.” 
- Mayor Rob Burton 

Background

• In 2016, the Town of Oakville received a Heritage Assessment Study of the property at 104 Burnet Street that assessed its historical, contextual, and architectural value. The study found while the Adams home held historical significance that should be recognized and commemorated, its poor condition due to fire damage and environmental deterioration made conservation of the structure virtually impossible. The home was demolished in 2017, and the salvaged elements help commemorate the legacy and contributions of the Adams family through the new art installation.
• In November 2019, a commemorative plaque was installed at Burnet Park speaking to Oakville’s part in Black History, acting as an official Port of Entry into Canada through the Underground Railroad. The plaque tells the story of Samuel Adams and the history of the home at 104 Burnet Street, owned by Jeremiah Adams (Samuel’s son).

About the architectural artists

• According to its website, SOCA is dedicated to inclusive city building and the creation of beautiful spaces. Founded on the belief that architecture both shapes and is shaped by the contemporary condition, the studio is deeply engaged in research and the broader discourse of the impact of architecture on culture, the environment and the shaping of cities.
• The studio is led by Shane Laptiste and Tura Cousins Wilson, who have experience in residential, institutional, and civic architecture. Both Shane and Tura are founding members of the Black Architects and Interior Designers Association (BAIDA) in support of Black architecture and design.
• Please visit the SOCA website to learn more about how SOCA designed the new memorial art installation at Burnet Park.